Feeling like you're out in the country in London

Besides the city center, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Oxford Street, Hyde Park, and the icons that symbolize London, it's highly recommended to walk around the different neighborhoods that make up the city, each of which has its own unique character.

A tour of Kensington and nearby Notting Hill:

The Kensington neighborhood is located west of the city center. As long as you're in London, it's well worth it to devote at least a few hours to touring the neighborhood, especially if you've come with children. The neighborhood is crossed by High Street running east to west, which is one of the best streets in London for shopping. The most renowned international brands have shops there. The neighborhood is characterized by a wealthy population and many private houses in the north and south sections. The neighborhood also serves as the residence of most of the European consulates. In the southeast section of the neighborhood, which faces the city center, one can find some of the most interesting museums in London: the science museum and the nature museum, which are highly recommended for children, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, one of the largest and most prominent museums of design in the world. However, if you'd like to lose yourself a bit in London and get away from the bustle of the city, your best bet is to take a walk in the parks and in the neighborhood's palace, and from there to continue on in the direction of Notting Hill and the markets in its vicinity. Here are some points of interest for a tour of one of the most elegant and exclusive neighborhoods of London, that can turn a day in the city into a relaxed and interesting rural experience not far from the busy center.

Parks:

Holland Park - The large park gives one a feeling of wilderness within the city, (especially its northern section). In the park one can find picnic areas, a playground area for children, cafes and a variety of sports facilities that mainly serve the local residents for tennis or golf practice or other activities. The park also has an enchanting Japanese garden and an open air theater which is used every summer by the Holland Park Opera.
Kensington Gardens – Situated in the extension of the west side of Hyde Park, the gardens are a wonderful place to walk around and find relief from the noise of the city. In the park one can find a large circular pool that attracts the water birds in the area, a beautiful sunken garden next to the palace in the park, an Italian garden with a wealth of fountains and statues, a great play area for children, built in memory of Princess Diana, with a wooden pirate ship on a beach next to a café, and the royal family's charming palace, where they still reside. One may enter certain parts of the palace every day between 10:00 and 18:00 and view the paintings, the sculptures, and the rooms occupied by the royal family in the past. Also located in the gardens are the Serpentine Galleries, showing modern and contemporary art. Admission to the galleries is free, and the artists whose work is exhibited there are world-famous artists in their fields.

Markets:

Portobello Market – a street market, open every day except Sunday, where one can find nearly anything – new and used clothing, antiques, old records, and more. A word of warning – the market is usually very crowded and full of tourists, but it's still highly recommended. The market is divided into areas where you can find different types of merchandise and runs through the middle of Notting Hill. On the weekend the market also becomes a food market for anyone interested in sampling, among other things, the characteristic local cuisine.
Notting Hill Farmers' Market – open every Saturday between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, a hidden gem. The market isn't large, but it's always full, and offers wonderful meats, sausages, local dishes, breads, and other good things.

Interesting to know:

Kensington Palace was the palace where Princess Diana and Prince Charles lived after their marriage, and was Diana's residence after the divorce and until her death. The palace was the home where Princes William and Harry grew up, and they attended school in nearby Notting Hill. Today the palace serves as the residence of the princes and their spouses. The adjacent Kensington Palace Garden Street is the most expensive street in London.
If you're fans of Peter Pan, you may not want to miss his statue, which is located in the northeast section of Kensington Park, where it was erected in 1912 in an initiative led by James Matthew Barry, creator and author of the story of Peter Pan. The statue was erected in Kensington Park because it was there that the author first met the children of the Lewellen Davis family, whom he later adopted, and who were the inspiration for the story.
When you walk through the streets of the neighborhood, pay attention to the round blue signs that appear on some of the houses, each commemorating an important person who once lived there. Here's a small sample of the familiar names who lived in Kensington: General Allenby, famed poet T.S. Eliot, mystery writer Agatha Christie, and one of the most important authors of the modern era, James Joyce.
By Gali, an Israeli who has lived for many years in London, lives and breathes the city and knows every hidden corner. Gali guides tours in Hebrew for Israelis who are looking for a special experience in London. You can see the range of Gali's tours on her website and book tours at LocalYoo

Paris’s Salon du Chocolat is taking place each year early November. Hundreds of chocolatiers and confectioners gathered in one pavilion in Paris’s exhibition park to exhibit their chocolates, the new trends and their interpretation of the world of chocolate. Last year 2014 the Salon was celebrating its 20th anniversary and that was enough of a reason to really party. Chocolate sculptures, the Salon’s famous chocolate dresses, fascinating demonstrations and above all lots and lots of that sweet, brown stuff. Since the Salon does not run year-round in the City of Light here are some recommendations for some of the best chocolatiers in Paris, who can be found throughout the whole year in the City of Lights.
(Click the links below each of the chocolatiers to find directions to their different branches).

Jacques Genin - chocolate, Pâtes de Fruits and heart melting caramels

Jacques Genin has come a long way from growing up in a poor family to becoming a chocolatier owning his own business, that supplies chocolates, confections and desserts to the most highly esteemed restaurants both in Paris and outside of the city. Genin’s chocolaterie is considered by those in the know to be one of Paris’s finest. His first branch, in Marais, is much larger than other chocolaterie - pastry shops in the city, and the décor is modern combined with the preservation of the spectacular historic structure. The complex consists of one floor on which the chocolate, pastry and confection counter is situated. In addition to the sales counter, there is also a space that is set up as a tea salon, where one can sit and enjoy the chocolatier’s specialties. The floor above holds the “laboratory” where Genin creates his delectable product which is all produced on-site.
Although Genin describes himself as a chocolatier his desserts are also considered to be the best. More than one of Genin’s cakes have been rated the best in Paris. The Mille Feuilles is certainly one of his most exceptional pastries and the hot Chocolat Chaud (Hot Chocolate) is divine. Every day his chocolaterie offers several different flavors of Mille Feuilles – vanilla, vanilla-raspberry, caramel, chocolate and praline. Ask the server which fillings are being served that day, and select your flavor of choice. Genin’s lemon tart has also been awarded many prizes. If you are lucky enough to visit his chocolaterie on a day when the lemon- basil tart is being served, do not pass up the unique experience.
I witnessed his adherence to every single detail when I received his permission to come and work with him and his team for a couple of days in the “laboratory” above the shop. I was given the responsibility of putting together boxes of chocolates for the customers. The chocolates, Pâtes de Fruits and caramels are Genin’s diamonds and as such they receive the special treatment that they deserve. Each silver box is wiped and polished. The cubes of chocolate and confectionaries are placed in the boxes in exemplary uniformity. Everything has been taken into consideration: the direction, the order of the flavors, the angle of the paper in which they are wrapped and the degree of the pleats - perfection. The excellent raw materials, the methods of work in the laboratory, the order, the cleanliness and the exceptional team, everything comes together to form one perfect creation.
Before leaving the chocolaterie, don’t forget to buy some provisions for the road – the chocolates are amazing and they come in a variety of flavors such as tonka, grapefruit, praline, vanilla, honey and more. I recommend tasting everything in the caramel section, but if you want to pinpoint flavors, the peanut, pistachio, Macadamia and mango and passion fruit are a must. And of course you can’t skip the Pâtes de Fruits; the blood orange, crème de cassis and rhubarb are my favorites.
Recently Genin opened another branch on Rue du Bac on the Left Bank; please note that this branch only sells chocolates and confectioneries, there is no seating.

Patrick Roger - if chocolate could talk

If you suddenly spot a chocolate hippo peeping out at you from a shop window, do not be alarmed. It is only another one of Patrick Roger, the chocolate artist’s, pieces of art, a sculpture of flavors. Roger uses the brown raw material to create giant sculptures, but also for small chocolates which he sells in boxes. His boutique chocolaterie is a museum with alternating exhibits of chocolate sculptures. The dramatic turquoise and black hues that dominate the décor of his stores and the refined, black-gloved sales people give the shops more the look of a fine jewelry shop than a chocolaterie.

Upon entering the boutique, the delicate aroma of high-quality cocoa meets your nose. The huge variety includes chocolates with different fillings, different types of truffles, chocolate tablets, exquisite nougat and caramel. During the winter Roger makes one of the most famous delicacies of all French confections, candied chestnuts. His “marron glacé” are considered the best, and they are sold like diamonds, individually wrapped.

He turns the sculptures that are returned from the shops at the end of the period into real bronze casted sculptures. In his work space, which is situated in a picturesque rural area about a half hour’s train ride from Paris, you will find penguins standing shoulder to shoulder with other animals and plump women. Roger is first of all an artist. The chocolate is the raw material through which he expresses himself. “I did not study at school,” he tells me, “I taught myself. It is not I that discovered the chocolate, it found me.”

His achievements are impressive, especially when you know what a long way he has come since his childhood in the Loire Valley region to winning the prestigious MOF award in one of the most important competitions in the French culinary field, in which every few years the best in the industry are selected. Despite winning the title, Roger does not rest on his laurels. The creativity burns within him, the will to develop and discover new aromas, special textures and surprising combinations. For example, the impressive collection of half spheres, painted using a special technique which makes them look like huge, brightly colored glass marbles are masterpieces, all of them painted by hand. No two half spheres are alike; the personal touch is felt in every single one of them. Roger will not reveal the secret of the magic. The surprises continue when you place one of the spheres in your mouth: the filling is very soft, almost liquid, and it explodes in your mouth filling it with extraordinary flavors. It is difficult to describe the feeling in words, a fine combination of perfect liquid caramel with lemon lime acidity. Don’t miss it!

Jean-Paul Hevin – the man that understands chocolate

Even if you walk right past Jean-Paul Hévin’s shop, I am not sure that you will notice that it is a chocolaterie. The shop window blends in so well with the fashion and jewelry shops in its prestigious surroundings – near Vendôme Square, Rue Saint Honoré, laden with luxury brands, one could easily think that it is another jewelry shop. It is worth looking carefully, otherwise you could miss one of the most acclaimed places in the industry: Jean-Paul Hévin, gourmet chocolatier, considered a master in the chocolate and pastry industry.

Hévin is an extremely talented chocolatier, who manages to combine fine raw material with creativity and classics. His shop looks like a jewelry shop.

Shiny showcases on one side of the shop hold boxes of exquisite chocolate, and in another section one will find chocolate tablets, chocolate bits, macaroons, and delectable chocolate pastries and deserts. The sacred atmosphere in the boutique is justified, Hévin is one of the best chocolatiers in Paris.

Hévin is almost the only chocolatier in the city where you can sit down and taste the delicacies. In the Saint Honoré branch you will find in addition to the impressive chocolate shop also a chocolate bar. There one may eat the pastries that are sold in the shop and have a hot drink – my favorite is Hévin’s hot chocolate (Chocolat Chaud), which was ranked by Le Figaro magazine as the best in Paris.

The tonka cake is strongly recommended, it is made with tonka beans, the cake is a crisp of streusel praline with leafy pastry, a biscuit rich in almond and tonka beans, a black Venezuelan chocolate mousse covered with creamy tonka bean, all crowned with a dark chocolate mousse. It was one of the best chocolate desserts that I have ever tasted, very rich in flavors and textures and made from the finest raw materials.

Also recommended for dark chocolate lovers is the Caracas cake - bitter moist chocolate biscuits, chocolate mousse of vanilla aroma and covered in sticky deep chocolate ganache. Meringue lovers, should not miss the Longchamp, with its nutty chocolate exterior and inside is an almond meringue enveloped in a light airy chocolate mousse.

And for dessert – a surprise: Hévin’s cheesecake is one of the best in Paris. A baked cheesecake, made with 0% fat soft white cheese (a bit of a rarity in Paris), it is beautifully airy and high, just like in the books. The cake has a very subtle taste, leaning toward tart due to the limited quantity of sugar and the additional lemon and it is very reminiscent of the cakes that came to us from Eastern Europe. What is even more surprising is the name that this superb cake has been given, which is entirely a tribute to the Jewish community – Mazal Tov!

Debauve & Gallais - Paris’s first chocolaterie. Classic.

Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, did not like to take her medicine. But, what can you do, even the royal head – long before it was cut off by guillotine – would sometimes hurt, and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. Suplice Debauve, the royal pharmacist to Louis the 16th and his wife, Marie Antoinette, would make the first lady chocolate in the shape of coins, in order to make it easier for her to take the medication she so disliked. In light of the success of the chocolate coins, Debauve opened his first boutique in 1800, in Saint-Dominique Street, and that is how the first chocolaterie in Paris came to be.

The Pistoles De Marie, that Debauve concocted for Marie Antoinette, which were named after her, are sold to this day in Debauve & Gallais shops, in remembrance of the Queen. It is a collection of chocolate coins in different flavors, like 99% chocolate (!), pieces of cocoa for bitter chocolate lovers (at Debauve they recommend tasting these with strong alcohol, and they promise that it is a delicacy), chocolate with almonds, bitter chocolate with coffee, with vanilla and more.

In 1817 the shop on Saints Pères Street opened, in the exact spot that it stands today, in one of the charming Left Bank streets, approaching the Boulevard Saint-Germain. Debauve, who was close to the royal family by virtue of his occupation, persuaded Napoleon's architects to design his shop. Thus, the shop received the special touch of Precier and Fontaine who designed it in the form of a Greek temple. The Saints Pères Street shop is the only remaining shop designed by the pair, and therefore it is considered a historical monument worth a visit, even for visitors that are not interested in chocolates.

The shop boasts a wide range of chocolates. Everyone will be able to find a chocolate to suit their palate. From chocolate filled with natural ganache, with varying levels of bitterness, to wonderful truffles, fine bitter chocolate covered orange peels and to “Mille-feuilles” from chocolate puff pastry and Gianduja (Gaia) chocolate filling. The 99% bitter chocolate with natural ganache filling is highly recommended. The chocolate coating is very bitter, but it is offset by the delicate ganache filling. For sweet and creamy chocolate lovers the Courtisane is highly recommended, it contains Gianduja chocolate cream with nougatine. The chocolate is of a very high quality, and is priced accordingly.

Berlin is famous worldwide for its vivid nightlife scene, especially for its diverse
and lively clubs.
In case you haven’t been to a Berlin club before, here is a short intro:
Almost all the clubs will not let everybody get in: they have a bouncer that will
decide on the spot if you are qualified to get in. So...

If you are a big group (especially if you are a group of man) you are facing a problem… you better split to smaller groups of 2-3 before getting to the entrance.

Make sure not to draw attention while waiting: be polite and blend with the audience.

Know which party you are going to (check the club’s site before).

Speak a few words in German (relevant words not dirty ones…)

Do NOT come drunk...

DO NOT overdress

WATERGATE

Watergate is a friendly fun club with good music and amazing led lighting. This is also the place with the best chances to get through the bouncer.

The music is great and the lighting inside makes you feel like you are in another dimension.

CHALET

Based in the center of Kreuzberg, Built in a 150 year old building, which radiates the warm atmosphere of the 19th century, the Chalet is a cool club to go to. They are also very popular, host great D.Js and you have better chances to get in (don’t forget the basic rules I mentioned above:)

The Reichstag is an unique photo opportunity, both indoors and outdoors. The reflections of light through the intricate labyrinth of glasses and mirrors creates unique moments. Thus, the daylight is the best time to visit and give your camera a chance ina lifetime. Previous registration through the website at least one week before the scheduled visit is requested.

Brandenburg Gate

One of the famous landmarks of the city and of the country, especially after the reunification, it used to be a city gate. Rebuilt in the 18th century in neoclassical style, it offers a large perspective view over the different areas of the city, many of them recently rebuilt from the ground, such as Potsdamer Platz. Usually crowded during the day, it offers unique moments of silence early in the morning on Sundays.

Berliner Fernsehturm / TV Tower

One of Berlin's most famous landmarks, it offers inside high-altitude shots of the city, and an overwhelming presence around the area, with its 52 metres (170 feets) imposing construction. The observation deck is nearly 121 metres (400 feet) high. On the top floor, a restaurant offers local German menus with a view over the city. The best time for photography is during the night or at the sunset time. Otherwise, the panoramic view of Berlin is impressive all round the day and the year.

Berliner Fernsehturm, Panoramastraße, Berlin, Germany

East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery covers the remains of the former Berlin Wall, turned into an open air exhibition place of grafiti art. It is openly talking about history and the meeting between the new and old Berlin. The best time to pay a visit is during the noon, when the place is full of live and crowded with tourists.

East Side Gallery, Mühlenstraße, Berlin, Germany

Memorial of murdered Jews in Europe

The Holocaust Memorial offers interesting observation points. The photographer can scrutinize both the architectural structure and the insertions of the visitors into the intricate corners of the place. A place of memory and silence, the best time to photograph is during noon, when the reflections of dying light and shadows add many interesting effects to the black stone blocks.

Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin Germany

Victory Column / Siegessäule

Situated in the Grosser Stern/Great Star squre, in the middle of the Tiergarten it is a dominant presence around which the entire space is built. The golden statue of Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, is in the top of the column. During the light sunny time, the statue radiates light, and acquires mystery shadows and reflections during the sunset. The statue was famous in Wim Wenders's movie Wings of Desire. From Victoria's shoulders, angela are watching over the city.

Großer Stern 10557 Berlin Germany

Tiergarten

With its great alleys, silent trees and myterious wildlife it offers interesting photo opportunities, especially in spring. During the summer sunny afternoon, the place is bubbling with life of the visitors making a spontaneous picnic and from the bottles of sekt (traditional sparkling wine) sipped under the sun. During the sunrise, the light is beaming through the treetops, revealing secret spots. During the summer weekends, one can have a look over the people of Berlin, fully enjoying the sun bathing opportunities.

Bezirk Mitte 10785 Berlin Germany

Bierpinsel

Projected as a restaurant on Schloßstraße, this creative work of brutalist architecture ended up as a neglected building covered with graffiti. The best time for photography is during the sunset, when the natural light adds a warm touch to the cold apparition.

Bierpinsel, Schloßstraße 17, 12163 Berlin, Germany

Pallasseum Wohnbauten AG

An example of brutalist architecture as well as a sample of Western construction in the middle of the former Eastern communist territory. Practically, its aim was to answer the real estate needs at the time. The best time to take photo is during the sunrise, when the residential complex receives an additional touch of warm.

Pallasstraße 3, 10781 Berlin Germany

The Research Institute for Experimental Medicine

The Research Institute for Experimental Medicine (FEM, formerly ZTL) or in the local slang, the 'Mouse Bunker' is a concrete structure where animals are tested for medical purposes. The construction took 10 years, being officially opened in 1980. The best photography time is around noon, when the strange building receives dramatic effects.

Krahmerstraße 10, 12207 Berlin, Germany

Bauhaus Archive

The depositary of the larges collection of this interesting artistic movement, the building itself is a testimony of the interesting architectural ideas of the Bauhaus. In the middle of the day, the strong light reflected on the white surfaces creates a feeling of silence and purification, almost an invitation to meditation in the middle of the busy city.

Klingelhöferstraße 14, 10785 Berlin Germany

Posted by Ilana our Berlin expert. If you want to learn more feel free to contact her here.

I was on a work trip with my co-worker Andrew in Ljubljana. We had the weekend to roam
the city and no idea what to do. A friend told me about LocalYoo and I decided
why the hell not? I do love food and anywhere there’s food, there’s me.

We met up withMateja, our local tour guide. I didn’t know
what to expect but I was hungry. Right away we sat down at this authentic
looking spot. What kind of food did Ljubljana
have anyway? It was the first time I realized a city like this existed
so I was really curious to know what they eat around here.

Andrew, my co- worker, thought I was weird but I had a
feeling this was not going to be some ordinary lunch date.Right away, Mateja, opened the table with
about 20 salads that covered the table; I couldn’t even find the silverware.
The waitress was cute but quiet. The way she threw the plates on the table was
like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Can you say speedy Gonzales style?

Which plate should I start with? There we’re too many choice
and they all looked crazy awesome. I looked up and already Andrew’s face was
smeared with a combination of the foods that surrounded us. I looked beside me and
I saw Mateja laughing…I guess Andrew couldn’t escape his American sloppiness.

I finally started to dig in. First a little bit of the
orange stuff, some of the Flank steak that was decorated with this green
powder, and a little bit of the yellowish pudding-like salad. Sound weird but
trust me my taste buds started to sing. I couldn’t stop eating or even get a
word in to tell Mateja how delicious this place is.

Everything was amazing, really. I had almost tasted the
whole table until I got to the RED plate. I finally managed to get a few words
in so I asked Mateja , “Why is this the only red plate?” She started to answer
me but as she did it was too late.

I was shoving what was on the Red plate into my mouth. “It’s
the SPICIEST food in Ljubljana.
Be-Care,” Mateja started to say but it was too late. Before she could finish
the sentence my face turned red (I guess that’s why the plate is RED) and sweat
started to drip down my forehead. I didn’t want to make a scene but the heat
that I felt going through my body was unbearable.

In a matter of second there were four waitresses around our
table trying to help me relieve the pain. We couldn’t understand each other but
I think they had this situation happen a few times before. I wanted water but
they wouldn’t give it to me. They brought me “special bread” and gestured to
eat it fast (they didn’t know English and I didn’t practice my Slovenian in
years haha). I shoved the bread into my
face and slowly the heat started to go down.

Go to Ljubljana.
Eat good food. MeetMatejaand let her feed you. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY DO NOT
EAT OFF RED PLATES IN Ljubljana,
they will BURN YOU and leave you with a LjubljananianMARK FOREVER.

When you think of great things to eat you always think of New York, always! It is almost a synonym to the word food…

The variety is so big and the changes are so fast that it is almost impossible to keep track of all the things that are going on. This is the reason that whenever I find a good new restaurant in the city, I keep it close and make sure to go there at least once in a couple of months, just to make sure that everything is still in place :)

My 3 preferred restaurants in New York (updated to May 2015) are:

Ivan Ramen

This relatively new place is my preferred place in New York!! and there is also a cool story behind it: the chef (Ivan Orkin) grew and lived in Long Island until he decided one day that his dream is to learn Japanese cooking. Without hesitations he moved to Japan, learned and practiced there, only to come back home stronger and better.

This restaurant is a heavenly mix of eastern and western tastes.

Although this is much more than another Ramen place, my favorite dish is the “Tokyo Shio Ramen”

Address: 25 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

Website: http://www.ivanramen.com/

GATO

Since it was originally launched on March 2014, GATO is most certainly one of the hot places in New York and if you want to get a table there you better book it on time. And when I say on time I mean ahead of time, a lot ahead…

The atmosphere inside is awesome , giving you the right balance between a restaurant and a vibrant bar scene with cocktails.

Ohh… I almost forgot the food.... Well, the food is an amazing combination of Mediterranean food cooked in an all-American way. All of the dishes I tried were nothing but gorgeous. My preferred dish is Lamb Tenderloin and you must not go there without tasting the Eleven-Layer Potato with caramelized shallots and fried sage.

Address: 324 LAFAYETTE ST, NEW YORK CITY 10012

Website: http://gatonyc.com/

Dirty French

Try to ignore the restaurant’s name while reading my recommendation.

Try to ignore the 50$ per person cancellation fee.

Try to ignore the pink peep-show entrance.

If you can ignore the above, and if you love the French kitchen, then you are most likely to have a great time in this so cool place.

The uniqueness of the place is their special mix of classic French dishes with non French spices and flavors

My favorite dish is the aged duck a l'orange with ras and preserved oranges.

I met Theo, my LocalYoo tour guide. He seemed like a nice guy and even better he said he was a shoe expert and that he knew the in’s and out’s of Rome’s shoe stores. I was skeptical but the thought made me too curious to pass up the opportunity. I was in.

Met Theo at half past 11 near Piazza Navona. At first I thought, “This is going to be weird,” but after only a few steps Theo told me I look “lovely,” in his deep Italian accent and that just made me laugh.

We hit our first stop, a small boutique shoe store with an old couple waiting at the register. As I entered, my eyes instantly went to the Loubotin stilettos I had to have. I asked the couple if they had it in 7.5, the husband went to check but came back with a “no-can-do” look. They didn’t have my size. With a heavy heart we left to the next shop.

We arrived at “Di San Giacomo Gioielli”. It looked like the perfect place to find the shoe I couldn’t find anywhere. This place was located not far from the Tiber river, at the bottom of a stairway, in the middle of a tiny street, so right away I knew it was special. Theo kept opening the door for me and I really liked it. I found it. It was staring right at me… only on another foot. I ran to the salesman(he probably thought I was foreign and crazy) and pointed at the lady’s shoe. “Do you have this one,” I asked him but he didn’t understand. I pointed harder but he still didn’t get it. Theo chimed in and asked the salesman for me in Italian (only he sounded like he was speaking poetry). And all the sudden the worst thing that could of happened, happened. It was in slow motion. The salesman turned his head to the left and then to right and then back to the left. And then I realized he was saying there are none left. Theo looked at me with a disappointed look but all I could do in response to his reaction was laugh. It was no big deal and I was really starting to dig the whole experience…even if I was still shoe-less.

We walked for a little bit until we got to the next store. Theo didn’t even have to tell me this was the store. As we approached the window I could already tell I found it. I wanted to walk in but this time Theo didn’t open the door. Confused I looked at him for a second but realized he was staring at a sign on the door. “A PRANZO. Tornare presto.” What? The sign read, “Out to lunch. Be back soon.”

On that note,Theo and I took a lunch break at a nice little café with an amazing view of Castel Sant'Angelo. I had a glass of wine with pasta and he had fish. A bit tipsy we ordered the check and made our way back to the store. Ahh, joy the store was open. The salesman brought me a 7.5. I opened the box slowly, making sure not to damage an inch. And then something unexpected happened. Theo slipped on my shoe. I asked him if he does this for everyone and he laughed. I guess that was a no. I ended up purchasing two pairs, one in black and one in red.

As I was packing both pairs into my luggage I thought about Theo. Maybe I couldn’t take him back with me like my shoes but he made me think of how one minute someone can be a complete stranger and the next he can be completely familiar. It all depends on that click… and not the kind my heels make.

About us

Welcome to the LocalYoo Blog.Our blog is all about the great things you can do in your city or other cities you are traveling to, recommended by our Local Insiders.To start discover personalized tours and activities offered by Locals visit us @LocalYoo.